Eight dead in Iraqi attack

GUNMEN and suicide bombers stormed a provincial council in central Iraq after exploding a car bomb outside, killing at least eight people before US-assisted Iraqi forces regained control of the building.

The assault took place in Diyala province’s capital Baquba, 40km northeast of Baghdad.

At least five gunmen disguised as Iraqi forces stormed the main gate after a car bomb exploded and a suicide bomber detonated his explosives outside.

A second suicide bomber blew himself up as the attackers clashed with police, witnesses and local officials said. An Iraqi counter-terrorism official said the five gunmen who raided the council were killed in the attack, which he said bore the hallmarks of al-Qaida.